Which item is listed as one of the four main defense priorities in the 2022 National Defense Strategy?

• A. Expand overseas bases worldwide.
• B. Reduce interagency coordination.
• C. Deter strategic attacks.
• D. Deter escalation.

Answer: (C)

Deterring strategic attacks is emphasized because the most consequential threats come from peer competitors capable of long-range or nuclear strikes. The idea is to prevent anyone from considering a strategic attack by maintaining credible, capable, and integrated deterrence across all domains—nuclear, conventional, space, cyber, and more. This means modernizing the nuclear triad, strengthening alliances and partnerships, and ensuring allied and partner commitments amplify determent so that adversaries calculate the costs as far outweighing any potential gains. It’s about shaping decisions before a conflict starts, not just fighting once it begins.

The other options don’t align with the formal priorities: expanding overseas bases is a force posture move rather than a stated priority; reducing interagency coordination runs contrary to the integrated deterrence approach; deterring escalation is an important goal, but it is not listed as a separate main priority in the document.